The mommy makeover is becoming an increasingly popular option for women seeking comprehensive body contouring. If you’re a woman who feels that her appearance may benefit from a combination of procedures to restore her looks, you likely have plenty of questions about how a mommy makeover can help.
At Chicago Breast & Body Aesthetics, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Dr. Anh-Tuan Truong will take the time to answer any concerns you might have so that you feel confident about moving forward with your mommy makeover. Our patients’ most frequently asked questions are listed below, but please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
What is a “mommy makeover?”
A mommy makeover is a term that was coined to describe a combination of cosmetic procedures intended to address and improve the changes to a woman’s body following pregnancy and childbirth. Most commonly this entails and abdominal procedure like a tummy tuck combined with a breast lift or breast augmentation. Other adjunctive procedures would include liposuction, fat transfers, vaginal rejuvenation, or even laser hair removal.
Am I a good candidate for a mommy makeover?
The best candidates for a mommy makeover will be women in good mental and physical health who are done having children and don’t intend to become pregnant again. Ideal candidates will have issues related to drooping or sagging breasts, stretched-out abdominal skin, abdominal muscle separation and extra fatty deposits that haven’t responded to diet and exercise. Dr. Truong can examine your physical condition to help you decide whether a mommy makeover can provide the results you want.
Despite its name, even women who aren’t mothers may be good candidates for a mommy makeover. The procedure received its name from addressing the physical areas most commonly impacted by pregnancy—the tummy, breasts and deposits of stubborn fat.
Can a mommy makeover be customized to my figure?
Absolutely. Although the standard mommy makeover typically includes breast procedure, a tummy tuck and liposuction, each option may be tailored or omitted to best meet your appearance goals. A complete mommy makeover can offer full body contouring to restore your figure to your pre-pregnancy appearance, but if your problem areas are localized to specific regions of your body, Dr. Truong may recommend further customization of your surgical options.
Why are these procedures performed together? Can they be done separately?
The combination of procedures included in the mommy makeover are typically performed together to prevent you from having to undergo multiple surgeries and recovery sessions, while still delivering the contouring results you want. By performing them all at once, Dr. Truong can help you reach your appearance goals without the hassle of having to recover from a series of operations. Keep in mind though that if the procedures are extensive, it may be safer to stage them a few weeks or months apart.
I’m planning on having more kids. Am I still a candidate for a mommy makeover?
Women who are planning to become pregnant again generally should wait to have a mommy makeover. Becoming pregnant after your procedure may possibly undo or compromise the appearance of the enhancements that Dr. Truong performed. In particular, nursing a new baby can create drastic changes to the size and shape of the breast tissue, and the presence of another developing baby may create abdominal separation that was originally corrected by the tummy tuck. This is not to say that you cannot have the mommy makeover before your family is complete—only that your results could be compromised. For patients who are unsure, the procedure can be tailored to achieve immediate improvements without compromising the ability to become and maintain pregnancy normally.
How long does the surgery take?
Given that your mommy makeover offers more extensive contouring than a single procedure alone, the combination may take a little longer. The length of your procedure will also be affected by which surgeries you elect to have. The typical mommy makeover combination of implants and a tummy tuck usually takes between 2 to 4 hours, with most patients being able to return home on the same day.
What should I expect during recovery?
Every woman’s recovery experience will be a little bit different, but you can expect soreness, swelling and discomfort near your surgical sites for several weeks. This is part of the natural healing process, and it may mask the appearance of your final results until your body fully recovers. Most women need at least a week or more off of work after their procedure. Although you will not likely be able to work during that time, Dr. Truong discourages bed-rest and will encourage you to be as mobile as possible after the procedure. Dr. Truong may want you to wear compression garments around your tummy and breasts for several weeks to aid in the healing process. Pain is generally managed with over-the-counter medications, and most women feel comfortable enough to return to work within several weeks.
Will there be any scarring?
Scarring is an unavoidable result of any surgery. Dr. Truong will do his best to make your surgical incisions in discrete locations that are easily hidden by the natural creases of your body or clothing. Depending on what procedures you have, you may have small scars near your breasts, below your navel and possibly near your liposuction treatment areas. However, the presence of scars will be kept as minimal as possible, with many of them fading once enough time has passed.